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Silmon's versatility helps solidify El Dorado's defense
El Dorado’s defense on the softball field has featured a bunch of moving parts this season. Allyson Silmon has been one of those moving parts. The junior has played multiple positions. Wherever she’s played, the team has gotten stronger at that spot.
“My dad, when I was growing up, he worked with me. I’ve played ball every since I could walk. He always made sure that I knew every position on the field and I could step up when needed,” said Silmon. “I’ve played for many different tournament teams along the
years. Every team I’ve played on, I make sure if my name is called, I can go and play that position.”
Silmon earned All-Area honors at shortstop last season. At the start of this season, she was moved to catcher to replace the graduated Marissa Rice. Recently, Coach Chris Ezell moved her back to shortstop, which seemed to solidify the defense.
“I just felt like we were missing her at short more than the benefits we were getting with her behind the plate,” Ezell explained. “Needing her out there where she can move around and communicate with everybody and keep the defense focused. It was a better fit for our defense with her back at short.”
Silmon’s play at shortstop, along with the emergence of senior Sydni Crisalli at catcher, has turned El Dorado’s moving pieces into one solid unit as the postseason gets under way.
“She definitely has stepped up and gave us the freedom to move Silmon,” Ezell said of Crisalli.
A 5-foot-6 volleyball player, Silmon brings athleticism to the infield in addition to her vocal leadership.
“She reads the ball well off the bat. She covers the ground well and gets to balls you don’t think she can get to,” said Ezell. “She has her own errors, too, but she usually comes back from those pretty strong. She’s a pretty consistent defender.”
The ultimate team player, Silmon still had her own personal concerns when told she would be playing catcher this season.
“I was definitely hesitant. At shortstop, I’ve played it my whole life,” she said. “But, I respect Coach Ezell’s decisions. I know that I have to do whatever is best for the team and I just have to adjust as much as possible.”
And, now that she’s back at shortstop? “Very excited. I’m more comfortable. It’s just kind of like home when I’m there,” said Silmon, who said she’ll play anywhere, although she’s not great everywhere.
“I’ve played everywhere my whole life. Pitcher, I’m not great at. But, I’ll try my best. Even last year, I pitched a JV inning. But, I’m really comfortable anywhere on the field. I’ll play wherever he needs me and wherever the team needs me.”
Silmon’s contributions on offense have been considerable, regardless of where she’s played defensively. The team’s No. 3 hitter, she was batting .458 with five
home runs, 14 doubles, 35 RBI and 29 runs scored.
“She’s been huge,” said Ezell. “She got us off to a real hot start - three home runs in our first three ball games to start the year off. She’s definitely been one of our most consistent hitters. Defensively, she’s our team leader as far as trying to keep everybody going and moving in the right direction. She’s the one we really rely on to step up and make plays when we need it the most.”
Silmon is responsible for half of the Lady Wildcats’ 10 homers this season. No other player on the team has hit more than one.
“She’s got 35 RBIs so she’s been our big RBI producer. I think the next closest person RBI-wise is 18. She’s been the driving force,” said Ezell, who said opposing teams have tried to pitch around her.
“She has seen an intentional walk or two throughout the season. Most teams are trying to force her to hit outside pitches. When she does that, of course the next time they have to give her more of what she wants. One thing we’ve been focusing on this year with her is that outside pitch and being able to stay back and drive that outside pitch because that’s going to help her get those balls more middle and in if she can do that.”
Silmon has recognized her role as the power hitter in the lineup.
“I have to do my job for the team. I feel like every time I get up to bat, I have to do as much as I can to carry our team through each inning,” she said. “I think it’s real important for me and everybody else in the lineup to have quality at bats.”
The Lady Wildcats open tournament play today at Benton. A win would qualify El Dorado for the 6A State Tournament. The loser drops into the loser’s bracket and would face a do-ordie game next week.
Now that the moving pieces have solidified, Silmon believes the Lady Wildcats are playing their best ball of the season.
“We’re slowly starting to come together. We struggled for a little bit just because of all the moving around we’ve had to do. But, we’re starting to come together and when we come onto the field strong, we finish strong,” said Silmon, who was asked the keys to a strong postseason.
“I think we need to have a lot more energy going into the games. We just need to be excited to be able to play the sport and play the game. We’ve struggled at away games this season but I think as long as we get our energy up and everyone stays motivated to play, we should do pretty good going into postseason.”